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[P101]Patio Chair Replacement Cushion

by Roger Hutchison, Rog

In the hunt for the perfect patio chair cushions to add the final touches to your outdoor space you've probably noticed that patio chair cushions can cost you anywhere from pennies to hundreds of dollars. How do you know what is a reasonable amount to spend? How do you know if you're getting your money's worth? Here are three tips to make sure you get the best cushion for your dollar.

Tip #1 Good quality manufacturing is your first objective; the longer your patio chairs cushions life, the better your return. Here are some things to look for to make sure the patio chair cushions you're thinking about are the right ones. If you're going to spend $100 on a cushion, you certainly want to make sure that it is going to last.

-Durable fabrics like cotton are essential. Cotton canvas is soft, durable, and it can be washed. While cotton may cost a bit more than plastic or vinyl, it is definitely more comfortable and it will last longer because it won't crack.

- Superior manufacturing. Look for cushions that have reinforced stitching, reinforced zippers, and reinforced piping to protect the seams these little details mean that your cushions won't rip the first time someone sits on them.

-Patio chair cushions can have a variety of fillers; the best filler for your dollar is a high density foam core not only because it's durable but because it keeps its shape. Take the sit test to determine how thick you want your cushions to be.

Tip #2 Make sure your cushion meets the needs of your furniture. This means that if you have two beautiful Adirondack chairs, then you will want to fit them with patio chair cushions designed for Adirondack chairs. A chaise has three to five sections, a chaise cushion should have three to five sections too; it should fit perfectly.

When setting up my outdoor space I fell in love with two beautiful chemise cushions. They were of course designed for interior chairs, who on earth would buy chemise cushions for the outdoors? I did. With the mental note to always bring them inside when the weather looked bad, I placed them on my bistro chairs and was happy. The indoor chair cushions just didn't work or fit well. There were no ties to secure them to the chairs either.

Well you can guess what happened. These expensive chair cushions did get left out in the rain but worse, I had to go on a neighborhood hunt for them after a particularly windy day.

Lesson, if you're going to invest in patio chair cushions make sure that they're designed for outdoor use and that they're designed to fit your specific chair. It's incredibly embarrassing to have to knock on your neighbor's door and ask for your chair cushions back.

Tip #3 Buy patio chair cushions that you like, however keep in mind that if you purchase patio chair cushions in a neutral or at least a solid color, you will be able to get use out of them no matter how your tastes or life change. Life changes quickly. One day we're chasing little children around our back yards and we need our outdoor furniture to be sturdy and family friendly. Soon our children have left home and the back yard becomes more of a retreat, a quiet place to go to read, garden, or simply nap in the sunshine. You expect your furniture to last through the years and change with you. If you make sensible patio chair cushion purchases, you can expect the same longevity.

If a patio cushion set feels out of your budget, consider how long you plan on keeping them. 5 years? 10 years? More? A $50 dining chair cushion averages out to $5 a year over ten years. That makes the $20 cushion that you have to replace after a season look expensive.

Cheap cushions are just that, cheap; the fabric doesn't hold up, the seams pop, and after a few weeks they become lumpy and uncomfortable. Be willing to pay a few more dollars and you'll have beautiful patio chair cushions that will last the life of your outdoor space.

Your back yard is your outdoor sanctuary. It's the place that you can go to relax, entertain, and even play. Why shouldn't it be as beautiful, and comfortable, as your inside space? Using the basic principles of design, scale, proportion, balance, emphasis, contrast, and unity, fantastic things will happen. Beginning with the size of your patio furniture and ending with your patio chair cushions, let's walk through a few simple steps you can take to transform your back yard.

Whether you have acres and acres of land or a simple patio off of the back of a condominium, it is possible to have the outdoor sanctuary you desire. Begin by taking measurements of your space ? not the entire backyard but the space that you're going to convert into an outdoor room. Once you have your measurements, you will want to plan on buying patio furniture to fill about 1/3 of that space. A bench and a coffee table or two patio chairs and a bistro table are ideal for small outdoor spaces. Conversely if you have a large space you will have room for a dining set, lounge furniture and maybe even a large outdoor grill and an enclosure.

Your next step will be to find or create a focal point. The chiminea has had an upsurge in popularity however a more traditional focal point like an arbor, pergola, or even a beautiful outdoor planter can have a striking affect. If you have space, consider creating a sitting or lounging area separate from a dining area and place the focal point where both seating areas can view it. Use the design principle of threes to make your backyard space feel balanced. This means that if you have two chairs add a small table to balance. If you're using planters to create a focal point stack or arrange three of them together.

Your final step in creating a winning outdoor space that you can be proud of is to add the final touches. One of the absolute best final touches that you can add, and one that will increase your comfort immeasurably, is to add patio chair cushions to your chairs. Begin by choosing patio chair cushions that fit your chairs specifically. This means that just because you really like the folding chair cushions but you have Adirondack chairs, don't buy the folding chair cushions. Why? Because you want your cushions to fit properly. You don't want a cushion that slides off every time you sit down, or worse ends up on the ground. You've spent your valuable time and money making your outdoor space a retreat, don't skimp on the details.

There's no end to the selection of patio chair cushions. A wide selection means that you are sure to find the right patio chair cushions to add that extra zing to your back yard. Like spice and color? Look for reds, yellows, and patterns. For a more subtle look choose a neutral color like green or tan. For extra durability and a long life, make sure your cushions can be laundered. This makes cleaning them as easy as dropping them into your washing machine.

A few extra things to think about when choosing your patio chair cushions:

? Durability features like reinforced seams, zippers and piping protect your patio chair cushions from every day wear and tear.

? Stay tight tie tabs keep your patio chair cushions tied down and ensure that your cushions won't end up in the pool or on your neighbor's chairs.

? Don't forget to look for cushions to adorn all chairs, from benches to steamer lounges to your folding chairs. Good design is all about paying attention to the details. In your outdoor space, your patio chair cushions are your details.

Well balanced seating to fit your outdoor space are just the beginning to a perfect yard. Umbrellas, landscaping, and high end outdoor appliances can really take your outdoor space to the next level but don't forget the simple elements of design. Balance, color, focal points, and details details details. The easiest detail to master? Your patio chair cushions of course!

Article Source : Family Vacations In The Us

Roger Hutchison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Room Furniture, Health and Games. Make your own outdoor living space more comfortable with from PatioToys.com. Patty Tudor provides tasteful outdoor f. Roger Hutchison's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.